TV fans have named Coronation Street their Best Soap for 2024 – in a huge night for the ITV show, which saw it take home a whopping six trophies.
Stars of the soap celebrated at the awards ceremony in London after it bagged more than any of its competitors – including the sought-after prizes of Best Actor, Best Storyline, and the big one: Best Soap.
Coronation Street lost out on the Best Soap award for the past two years, with EastEnders taking home the gong in 2022 and 2023.
The Cobbles’ emotional Motor Neurone Disease storyline, which dominated the night, saw Peter Ash take home Best Actor for his portrayal of Paul Foreman.
Paul lost his battle with motor neurone disease 16 months after he first showed symptoms and his emotional last episode aired earlier this month.
In recent months, Paul slowly lost his mobility and his ability to consume food, which ultimately left him housebound
And now the star, who saw his final episode air on Monday, September, 7, has opened up on the two most tricky moments he endured during the scenes
Paul slowly lost his mobility and his ability to consume food, which ultimately left him housebound, before heartbreaking scenes saw his character die.
The tragic storyline was widely recognised at the ceremony, also scooping up the Best Storyline award and the Best Partnership Award for Daniel Brocklebank and Peter Ash’s roles as husbands Billy Mayhew and Paul Foreman.
Inside Soap editor Gary Brocart-Gillatt said: ‘The story of happy-go-lucky Paul Foreman’s MND diagnosis – and the effect it had on both Paul and those who loved him – has been the stand-out TV of 2024 for our voters.
‘It’s no surprise that Peter Ash’s tender portrayal of Paul has won him our Best Actor prize; and that’s no small achievement in what has been a truly golden year for soap.’
Coronation Street also scooped up Best Comic Performance and Best Young Actor, taking their trophy total to six.
Charlie Wrenshall won Best Young Actor for his role as Liam Connor, while Dame Maureen Lipman was awarded Best Comic Performance for the fourth year in a row for her role as the acid-tongued Evelyn Plummer.
Elsewhere, Emmerdale’s Eden Taylor-Draper won Best Actress for her performance as marital coercive control victim Belle King.
The soap’s Dingle clan – who will soon celebrate 30 years at the centre of the Emmerdale action – were named Best Family.
The tragic storyline was widely recognised at the ceremony, also scooping up the Best Storyline award and the Best Partnership Award for Daniel Brocklebank and Peter Ash’s roles as husbands Billy Mayhew and Paul Foreman
Elsewhere, Emmerdale’s Eden Taylor-Draper won Best Actress for her performance as marital coercive control victim Belle King
In harrowing scenes, Tom has abused and manipulated Belle, with the drama coming to a head when she finally decided to leave him
Best Showstopper – awarded to a showcase episode – went to EastEnders for their Christmas Day instalment in which Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) killed Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters), kicking off the on-going murder conspiracy of ‘The Six’
Inside Soap readers named actress Balvinder Sopal their Soap Superstar of 2024, for her performance as EastEnders’ Suki Panesar
Navin Chowdhry was named Best Villain for his sinister turn as Walford’s Nish Panesar
Meanwhile, the first ever Inside Soap Award for Best Pet went to Minnie, who plays Belle’s dog Piper in the show, another victim of evil Tom King’s mind games with Belle.
Best Showstopper – awarded to a showcase episode – went to EastEnders for their Christmas Day instalment in which Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) killed Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters), kicking off the on-going murder conspiracy of ‘The Six’.
Navin Chowdhry was named Best Villain for his sinister turn as Walford’s Nish Panesar.
Young Hollyoaks star Isabelle Smith won ‘Best Newcomer’ for her portrayal of Frankie Osborne in the soap’s hard-hitting storyline of sibling sexual abuse.
Inside Soap readers named the newly rejuvenated Neighbours their Best Daytime Soap and Neighbours’ Ryan Moloney (Toadie Rebecchi) their Best Daytime Star.
Meanwhile, Adam Thomas won Best Drama Star for his role as Donte Charles in Waterloo Road.
Young Hollyoaks star Isabelle Smith won ‘Best Newcomer’ for her portrayal of Frankie Osborne in the soap’s hard-hitting storyline of sibling sexual abuse
Meanwhile, Adam Thomas won Best Drama Star for his role as Donte Charles in Waterloo Road
And the magazine awarded its prestigious Outstanding Achievement prize to a group rather than an individual for the very first time, paying tribute to The Cast and Crew of Doctors
Inside Soap readers named actress Balvinder Sopal their Soap Superstar of 2024, for her performance as EastEnders’ Suki Panesar.
And the magazine awarded its prestigious Outstanding Achievement prize to a group rather than an individual for the very first time, paying tribute to The Cast and Crew of Doctors, as the recently axed daytime drama broadcasts its final run of episodes.
‘The BBC’s cancellation of Doctors – a wonderful launch pad for new writing and acting talent – was incredibly disappointing to see,’ commented Inside Soap editor Gary Brocart-Gillatt.
‘We also know how much Doctors viewers love the show, so it’s on their behalf that we’ve awarded our Outstanding Achievement trophy to the team.’